Bayern are desperate! Tuchel turns to ex-Arsenal defender to solve crisis

Cameron Smith

13 Oct 2023 20:20 BST
3 min read

Thomas Tuchel and the Bayern Munich — © ProShots

Bayern Munich have identified former Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos as a possible transfer target and are considering making a move for the 35-year-old, as per Bild.

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Sokratis is currently a free agent having left Olympiacos at the start of the summer and therefore he can be signed outside of the transfer window.

As a result, he is seen as a good option for Bayern as they search for a short-term fix for their recent injury crisis in defence.

Dayot Upamecano picked up a hamstring injury in Bayern’s 3-0 win over Freiburg on Saturday, while Matthijs de Ligt has only just returned to running after his own injury troubles.

Summer signing Kim Min-jae is now Bayern’s only fit, senior centre-back and the Bavarians have been searching for a solution.

Bild have now reported that Bayern have turned their attention to Sokratis as they look for a new defensive signing.

The 90-capped Greece international spent two-and-half years at Olympiacos after spending two-and-a-half years at Premier League giants Arsenal between 2018 and 2021.

Bayern decided against Boateng

Jerome Boateng was heavily linked with a return to the Allianz Arena, but the player’s open court case was the decisive factor in the club’s decision not to make a move.

In February 2019, Boateng was accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a former girlfriend when on holiday.

His trial ultimately took place in 2021 and he was found guilty of the offence and fined €1.9 million.

All parties appealed this verdict, causing a second hearing in October 2022, during which the guilty decision was upheld but the fine was reduced to €1.6m. Boateng, however, was given a criminal record.

A second appeal was made, which resulted in a third hearing in which the decision was annulled and the Supreme Regional Court has ordered a retrial.